What Types of Problems Can Result From Tooth Crowding?
By Family Dental | Published on October 14, 2010 | 0 Comments
Tooth crowding can affect more than just a person’s aesthetic appearance. It can also make proper brushing and hygiene difficult, which can lead to a number of oral diseases, infections, and other dangerous conditions such as cavities, gingivitis, plaque buildup, and gum disease.
At Family Dental, teams of dentists, orthodontists, and other dentistry professionals work together to create comprehensive plans to help reduce their patients’ crowding problems. Although traditional braces with brackets and wires are thought of as the most common way to treat crowding issues, a number of other options are now available that were not possible 20 or 30 years ago.
Among the many benefits of choosing a dentist who works at a larger practice is that patients are able to take advantage of the multitude of specialists represented under one roof. If a patient comes in for a semi-annual checkup and his general dentist discovers that crowding has become an issue, then that dentist can send the patient to visit an orthodontist in-house. Cosmetic dentists, periodontists, prosthodontists, and endodontists are all represented at the Family Dental practice.
The experts at Family Dental say that there are a handful of options that patients can choose from to treat tooth crowding issues. One of the most popular options for people with tooth crowding right now is a product called Invisalign, which produces similar results to traditional braces but without the burdensome wires and brackets. Instead, patients wear a series of clear plastic retainers over a period of months until their teeth have completely straightened out.
For those who prefer a more traditional route, conventional braces are also an option that millions of young people across the country have put on each year. Wearing braces with wires and brackets is a sure-fire way to fix any tooth crowding or misalignment issues.
Additionally, dentists nowadays are recommending that parents bring their children in to discuss their options regarding tooth crowding between the ages of seven and eight. Depending on the results of the evaluation, a dentist may decide that preventative intervention is going to be the child’s best way of avoiding tooth crowding issues later on in life.
One of the interesting advancements within the dental field is the increased use of palate expanders in children. By intervening at a younger age and giving children palate expanders when they are just seven or eight years old, dentists are able to create space in the mouth for adult teeth to grow in straighter than they would otherwise. This can oftentimes prevent kids from having to wear braces later on, or at the very least decrease the length of time that braces will need to be worn. Even though palate expanders were not an option for older generations, they have become one of the most popular dental innovations by helping younger generations of children achieve better, straighter, healthier smiles.
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.